Mortar batching device



H. A. GADSDEN MORTAR BATCHING DEVICE July 1, 1958 Filed May 4, 1955United States Patent C) MORTAR BATCHING DEVICE Harold A. Gadsden,Washington, D. C.

Application May 4, 1955, Serial No. 505,953 3 Claims. or. 73429 Myinvention relates to the proper proportioning of materials, such asthose used in mortar and concrete mixes for construction work, and forother purposes.

It is a well known fact that lack of a specific amount of cementitiousmaterial to a specified amount of sand or other aggregate fails toproduce the requisite and expected strength of the structure of whichthe masonry is a part. It is also well known that excessive amounts ofsand in proportion to the cementitious material produces a motar whichis subject to early erosion by the weather, such as rain and frostaction. Likewise, a mortar with excess amounts of certain cementitiousmaterials, too rich, lacks the requisite strength and wearing qualities.Since the cementitious material is the most expensive item'of themortar, for reasons of economy, it is desirable to insure that excessiveamounts of this material not be used. It is a further well known factthat failure to use the requisite amount of mortar not only produces astructure lacking in the expected strength, but promotes leaks whichcause early interior and exterior deterioration of the structure ofwhich the masonry is a part. All of which defects add to the cost ofmaintenance, reduce the utility of the structure as well as producing alack of the expected safety factor of the structure. Economy of upkeep,prevention of slum conditions and safety require that not only must thespecified formula be adhered to, but also that the mortar specified becorrectly used. This will insure that each interstice of the masonry befilled with mortar.

The ordinary means available for accurately proportioning aggregates andcementitious materials for mortars and supplying them to a mixing unit(mechanical mixer or mortar box, for hand mixing) and assuring thematerials use have not heretofore been equal to the problem set forth,chiefly because sand, the principal aggregate, in general is supplied tothe mixing unit by the crude and extremely inaccurate method of so manyshovelfuls to a pre-determined volume, or weight, of cementitiousmaterials. The only clue as to the quality of the mortar is the laborersor masons judgment as to the mortars plasticity. Plasticity is largelyaffected by the fineness and clay content of the'sand, excessivefineness and clay content nullifies the masons judgment as to quality.The other method sometimes used is a volumetric measuring device such asa cubic foot box when the measurement of sand is required. Neithermethod allows for the varying volumes of sand or other aggregate causedby varying moisture content. There has not been any accurate method ofassuring that the mortar has been correctly used.

The purpose of the present invention is to insure successive batches ofmortar uniformly mixed by the prescribed formula of cementitiousmaterials and sand or other aggregate, and, to insure that the specifiedamounts of correctly mixed mortar are used in the masonry, givingmaximum uniformity of strength and weathering quality and reducingleakage, while at the same time preventing absolutely any interferencein the way of ignorance on the part of labor or carelessness on the partof engineers or contractors to prevent the rigid adherence to thespecified formula or methods. To this end my invention utilizes theangle of repose factor of the aggregate (sand) or other material to bemeasured. This angle of repose factor compensates for the added bulkingof damp sand as compared to the same volume of dry sand. Likewise, theweight method of measuring aggregate (sand) is not as accurate as theangle of repose method because the volume and weight are affected by themoisture content of the aggregate, which moisture content is aconstantly changing factor.

The angle of repose principle of the invention works in the followingmanner: The container, or hopper, which can be adjusted to hold varyingvolumes, is set to hold the specified amounts of cementitious materialand aggregate. After the cementitious material is put into the hopper,aggregate is added to its full capacity. If the aggregate lacks thenormal moisture content, excess amounts will slide off to the originalstock-pile. If the moisture content of the aggregate is excessive, theaggregate will pile, or crown, in the hopper, giving added bulk neededto maintain the net constant volume of aggregate.

After the hopper is filled to capacity, the operator releases it bypulling a handle, and as the hopper turns to be dumped into the mixingunit the batch is tallied. A registering device installed in the unit,accessible only to the owner or his representative, gives a permanentand accurate record of the amount of mortar mixed. Since a definitequantity of masonry requires a definite amount of mortar, by inventionnot only assists the owner in assuring quality workmanship; it alsoassists in keeping job records as to progress of the work.

The accompanying drawings, one sheet, represent one means of carryingout my invention. Figure 1 shows the front view; Figure 2 shows an endview; solid lines show the hopper in position to receive its maximumcapacity; the dotted lines showing it in position to receive its minimumcapacity. Figures 3 and 4 are enlarged views respectively showing a partsection and details of the control mechanism. The invention consists ofa hopper I mounted on a shaft 2 which is fitted with housed bearings ateither end, all of which is mounted on a frame 3. 4 is a circular discfirmly attached to 1 and 2 with notches so located as to coincide withthe graduated capacities of the hopper 1. 7 is a cowling, or cover,which fits over 4 with an opening that can be adjusted to the desiredand graduated notch 8 and secured by means of a thumb-screw 10 whichfits into 9. The end of lever 5, one end hinged at 6 holds the hopper 1in a loading position. When the hopper is filled to capacity, theoperator pulls 5. This releases the hopper which begins turning towardthe mixing unit. At the mid-point of the turning motion of the hopper,and while loaded, the batch is tallied and registered. 11 is a handle tofacilitate emptying the hopper and to prevent the stalls ing of amechanical mixer by the sudden dumping of the batch.

While my invention is basically designed for measuring ingredients ofmasonry mortars and concrete where central batching plants are notavailable, it is readily apparent that the device can be readily adaptedfor the fast and accurate measurements of bulk quantities such asgrains, etc.

I claim:

1. A mortar batching device comprising a stand, a hopper comprising acontainer having one side thereof open, forming a month, said hopperbeing pivotally mounted on the stand, locking means having a pluralityof engageable portions fixedly mounted on said hopper, a lever pivotallymounted on the stand and having an Patented July], 1953- end: portionengageable. with a, preselected portion of said locking means, theengagement of the lever and locking means determining the angl of reposeof said hopper whereby the cementitious to aggregate ratio of mortar to,be measured in the hopper can be predetermined regardlessof the moisturecontent ofthe sand.

2. A mortar batching device according to claim 1 in: clnding a lip onthe hopper extending normally to the mouth of thehopper.

3. In a mortar batching device as claimed in claim 1 wherein the lockingmeans comprise an arcuate disc fixed to the end of the hopper and spacednotches in the periphery thereof, an adjustable guard having a singlenotch overlaying the periphery of said disc, whereby the lever mayengage only one notch of the disc for each adjustable position of theguard,

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS

